The Centre for Church Development (ZKE) deals with questions of church development and lived religion in a scientifically sound manner and relevant to church practice. Thus the ZKE builds a bridge between university research and church implementation. The ZKE exists since 1 June 2010.

The ZKE has the following tasks:

• Research in the field of church development and community building
• Networking of people from the university and church environment (local, regional, national and international) who are concerned with these issues.
• Basic work in view of future challenges to the church presence in society
• Support of church and church committees in their ecclesiological conceptional and planning work